Tarrant County Birth Network

I am excited about the future of natural childbirth in Tarrant County and have been working with some ideas for a birth network for several months.

Donna Ryan, a childbirth educator and longtime natural birth advocate, and I are working together on the beginning stages of a Birth Network in Tarrant County such as what are found at www.birthnetwork.org. We would like your help in gathering names of those who may be interested in being a part of this group. We are planning a meeting for later this summer for birthing professionals (doctors, midwives, doulas, childbirth educators, chiropractors, lactation consultants...the list goes on). In addition, we are looking for professionals who are actively practicing the Ten Steps of the Mother-Friendly Childbirth Initiative found on the CIMS website at http://www.motherfriendly.org.

Please email me at hannah.reasonerLMT@gmail.com with contact information of referrals who may be interested in being a part of the Birth Network in Tarrant County.

There will me more information to follow. Please feel free to contact me with questions.

Holistic Gynecology

Do you know of anyone in your area that practices holistic gynecology? I am looking for a referral for anyone needing or wanting a doctor that practices whole body care in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, or Kansas. For instance, if I have a client who has a gynecological issue such as irregular or abnormal periods, fertility issues, or any other reproductive problems, who can I refer to? I want a practitioner who can diagnose and treat with modalities such as nutrition, herbs, supplements, bodywork, and or any other form of alternative health care, and who uses medications and more invasive practices as a last resort.

Contest Winner and Birth Control Poll

Congratulations to Nancy who won the drawing for commenting on my "Give Away For Moms" post! I put all the names in a cup and my husband drew a name so it would be fair. Your gift will be coming in the mail soon!

I have been thinking a lot lately about birth control and the methods that are available to us. I recently heard in the news that adoption rates are going up due to the economic times. People are finding it more difficult to care for children and are turning to alternative methods. I had a discussion with a girl who is placing her child for adoption. She was commenting on how expensive birth control can be, especially the pill and condoms which have to be refilled and replaced. This can lead to people not using these methods and ultimately leads to pregnancy.

As many of you know, my husband and I use the Fertility Awareness Method (or Natural Family Planning). The book cost me about $20 and I have read it a couple of times and used it as a resource often. That is $20 I have spent on birth control in the past three years. It has worked for us, and if used correctly, can work for any couple that desires natural birth control methods.

I am interested to find out what form of birth control you currently use. I have put a poll together on the right for you to share your answers. Thanks for contributing!

New Poll on Vaccinations

Please take my most recent poll on vaccinations located to the right.

I have recently gotten a lot of feedback and comments on vaccinations and feel that a vaccination post is in the near future. Although I learned more of vaccinations and their pros and cons about eleven years ago, I would like to be able to write about it from an educational and informational point of view. I know that parents want the best for their kids and just need the proper knowledge to make informed decisions.

Some parents believe they are doing the right thing by vaccinating and protecting their kids from harmful diseases. Others believe that the risks of vaccinating are too great and can lead to serious illness and death. And yet, other parents selectively vaccinate against some illnesses and not others.

Although I fit into one of the above categories, in my blog I do not wish to evoke my opinions and beliefs on anyone concerning this topic. I will, however, talk to you personally if you would like.

Please feel free to share your comments...anonymously if you wish.

Give Away for Moms

Calling all moms and moms-to-be!

This is an invitation to share the experience(s) you had as you tried to conceive and during pregnancy. Bringing a new life into the world can be such a joy and there are so many things that a woman goes through to get there. I would love to hear anything you can share that may help me when I get there. Sometimes the best advice and support we get is from those who have already walked that path. On Wednesday, May 20th I will randomly select one name from those who commented and send you a special gift! This is open to all no matter where you live!

Share your thoughts on topics like:

• working out
  
• foods and cravings
• the relationship changes between you and your husband/partner
  
• things that worried or scared you
• the first movements you felt
• preparing for your new arrival
• your journey to conceive
  
• ...and more!

Thanks for sharing and I look forward to hearing from you!

FREE Cloth Diaper Party

You're Invited
To A Cloth Diaper Party

Thursday May 21st
6:30-8:00pm
2313 Carleton Ave.
Fort Worth, TX 76107

Hosted By
Stephanie Carruth

RSVP by May 19th at 731-8981

All products brought to you by:
Hip Green Baby

www.hip-green-baby.com

What to know more about cloth diapers but are overwhelmed by what you see online? Confused on all the different types of diapers? Or, do you just want to see what it is all about? Come for yummy food and to visit with other moms and moms-to-be!

A Day in a Mother's Life

Happy Mother's Day to all mother's!

In honor of Mother's Day, I would like to hear your stories. Comment on one of your most memorable days or experiences as a mother.

Can't wait to hear from you and thanks for taking the time to share!

What's going on "down there"?

If you chart your cycle or know your body well, you may have questions when you see bleeding besides your period, have painful cramping, or are trying to become pregnant. What does it all mean?

Ovulation spotting is defined as a very light bleeding that may accompany ovulation - though it is rather uncommon fertility indicator and can be easily missed (even if it occurs). Unless you are fertility charting and observing daily changes in cervical mucus, you may not even be aware of this secondary fertility sign.

The source of "ovulation spotting" is traced to the rupture of the ovarian follicle when the egg is released. When you ovulate, luteinizing hormone causes the surface of the ovarian follicle to weaken and disintegrate. This leads to the formation of a hole, or stigma, through which the egg will ultimately "escape" into one of the fallopian tubes. At this "midcycle moment", a residual trace of blood may accompany ovulation when the stigma ruptures.

The trace amount of blood that may appear due to the rupture of the follicle will not be red (like menstrual blood), but will rather exhibit a brownish or pinkish color. For example, you may see just a faint streak of pinkish blood intermingled with cervical fluids during your daily CM check.

During this "fertile phase" of your cycle, cervical mucus will likely be transparent and stretchy, like egg white. If you do happen to discover a small amount of blood at this time, note this light bleeding on your fertility chart as a possible indicator of ovulation. If this is indeed O-spotting, you should see your bbt temperature rising shortly thereafter. This bleeding should not last long, and if it persists for more than a few days, contact your doctor.

Implantation bleeding (which will typically take place about a week after you ovulate). Implantation bleeding (also typically characterized by a light brown or pink spotting) is caused by the fertilized egg burrowing into the endometrium. While ovulation spotting may be viewed as a natural fertility indicator, implantation bleeding is considered an early pregnancy sign.

It should be emphasized that ovulation spotting is not one of the more common or reliable indicators of fertility. Like mittelschmerz (or midcycle pains), you should be aware of the possibility that these fertility signs may appear, even though many women will never experience these physiological symptoms.

To pursue a visual metaphor, there are a number of other ways to "spot ovulation" - or at least predict when ovulation will take place. Along with using a basal thermometer, you can observe daily changes in the texture and color of cervical mucus, as well as follow the rise and fall of the position of the cervix iteself. Into your daily fertility charting rituals, you can also selectively integrate effective testing methods like an ovulation microscope, urine ovulation tests, or a digital fertility monitor to anticipate when you will be at peak fertility.

An ectopic pregnancy may seem like a normal pregnancy at first. You'll have a positive pregnancy test. Early signs and symptoms may be the same as those of any pregnancy — a missed period, breast tenderness, nausea and fatigue.

But an ectopic pregnancy can't continue as normal. The first warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy often include:

• Light vaginal bleeding
• Lower abdominal pain
• Cramping on one side of the pelvis

Natural Childbirth Advocate in Spokane, WA

My husband's cousin, Tine, lives in Spokane. She has had two natural births, one in San Fransisco and one in Spokane. She has a new website/blog that advocates natural childbirth in her area. She is also an incredible graphic designer. Check out her website!

Track Your Cycle

Pregnancy achievement can be a touchy subject for some women who long to have a baby and expand their family. Some women have difficulty becoming pregnant while others seem very fertile. I have been using the "Fertility Awareness Method" to track my fertility for a few years. If you are having difficulty becoming pregnant, I believe this is the first step in understanding your cycle. You will learn how to track exactly what days you are ovulating. In addition, you will be able to track your most fertile days. This is why this is also an effective form of birth control.

When you become pregnant, your care giver will most likely give you a "due date" based in your LMP (last menstrual period). They will determine a "due date" based on a 28 day cycle.That is assuming you ovulated on day 14. Some women may ovulate as early as day 10 or as late as day 26 or later. Essentially, you can get pregnant while on your period if it lasts for 5-6 days, although it is rare.

A "normal" cycle starts on day 1 with your period. On day 14 you will ovulate and on day 28 you will start your period again. But, this isn't the case for all women. If you start your period on day 1 and ovulate on day 21, then you will not have your period on day 28. Your period will most likely come 12-16 days after you ovulate. So, you will have your period on day 33 or 37.

Sperm can live up to five days on fertile cervical mucous (eggwhites...explained below). If you have intercourse on day 14 assuming that is the day you ovulate but then you acutally ovulate on day 21, then you will not get pregnant. Charting your cycle will significantly help you in understanding your body and when you ovulate. You will also understand all the "fluids" that are coming out down there.

One sign of pregnancy is missing your period. You are considered pregnant from the first day of your last period. That means that if you have a normal 28 day cycle and you take a pregnancy test the day after your miss period, you are already just over two weeks pregnant.

Types of Cervical Mucous

Cervical mucous can be dry, sticky, creamy, or egg white consistency. You will want to record the type of cervical mucous you have on your fertility chart. If you do not want to use the fertility awareness method of charting, you can simply watch for fertile signs. What you are looking for is an increase in cervical mucous. Cervical mucous during ovulation has the appearance of eggwhite. If you are charting it is a good idea to write down what kind of cervical mucous you have during your cycle. This will help you to establish the most fertile days of your cycle. You can also watch for the day that your temperature shifts on the bbt (basal body temperature) chart. Your temperature will rise when you complete ovulation and go back down when you start your period again. You can also and detect what kind of cervical mucous you are having. If you are having a hard time deciding what your most fertile cervical fluid looks and feels like, having your chart to look at can be a guide. This is explained more in depth in the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Toni Weschler.

These are the types of mucous you will see during your menstrual cycle.

Dry: At the beginning of your cycle, prior to ovulation you will likely produce little to no cervical mucous. Also right before your period should start your cervical mucous may become dry again. If you do not notice cervical mucous you will want to record this on your chart as dry.
Sticky: You may notice sticky cervical mucous prior to ovulation. It feels sticky to your fingers when you touch it.
Creamy: As you get closer to ovulation you will notice thicker, creamy-looking cervical mucous. This mucous looks and feels similar to lotion.
Eggwhite: Eggwhite cervical mucous is the term used to describe the mucous you have during ovulation. It looks like eggwhites and is slippery, clear, and stretchy.
Watery: Watery cervical mucous is wet and may be stretchy. You may notice this type of cervical mucous during ovulation or before having eggwhite cervical mucous.

Cervical Position and Ovulation

You may want to check the position of your cervix to help you tell when you are ovulating. Not all women are comfortable with this and some women have a difficult time feeling their cervix. To find your cervix you may want to be in a squatting position or have one foot on a stool. Insert one or two fingers into your vagina and push them towards the back of your vagina. You will reach a spot that feels firmer than the rest of your vagina. Your cervix may feel soft like your lips or firm like the tip of your nose. You may notice your cervix feeling more open or closed. Find a comfortable position to check your cervix and use the same position each time you check. If you use a different position, you won't be able to compare the position of your cervix accurately. It may take you a cycle or two to determine when your cervix is softest, firmest, highest or lowest. Right after menstruation, your cervix will be low and easier for you to reach. It will feel firmer and closed. During ovulation your cervix will be higher and more difficult to reach. It will also feel soft, wet and you may notice it feeling more open. If you have given birth before your cervix may feel more open than someone who has not. After ovulation, your cervix normally returns to a more firm, lower position.